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Rowan Univ., vo-tech sign pact

Rowan Univ., vo-tech sign pact

Representatives from Rowan University and three Salem County school districts Wednesday signed an agreement that will provide select high school students automatic acceptance into the university.

Taking part in the event held in Wilson Hall on the Rowan campus were officials from the university and the Pennsville, Pittsgrove and Salem County Vocational-Technical school districts.

The agreement works by giving students in Salem County's Academy of Creative and Performing Arts and Academy of Graphic Design in Multimedia Technology automatic admission to the university.

To be selected the students must have successfully graduated with A's and B's in all course work, score at least an 1,100 out of 1,600 or 1,650 out of 2,400 on their SATs, rank in the top 20 percent of their graduating class, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have a senior portfolio reviewed by a Rowan University Art faculty member.

This is not the first time Rowan University and the Salem County Vocational-Technical School district made an articulated agreement. In 2003, the university's College of Engineering entered into a similar agreement for its Academy of Engineering and Technologies hosted at Penns Grove High School. Also in 2004, Rowan's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences signed an agreement with Salem County Vo-Tech for its Academy of Biological and Medical Sciences Program.

For the Fine and Performing Arts articulation signing Wednesday, the audience received a taste of the talent from both the high school students who can be helped by the agreement and some of the current Rowan University performing arts students.

The audience was amazed by talented vocal groups, string groups, and theatrical groups. After the performance groups, representatives from the three school districts met on stage to sign the papers to make the agreement official with the president of Rowan University, Dr. Donald Farish.

"It is important to nurture talent when you find it," Farish said. "And we are particularly interested in homegrown talent. The talent is here."

Dr. Donald L. Gephardt, dean of the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Rowan University, said the agreement is great for everyone involved.

"This is a very positive thing for both Rowan and the school districts," Gephardt said. "These schools are fairly new, and what I heard today they are on the right track and we are excited about being able to accept their students here at Rowan."

Dr. William H. Adams, superintendent of Salem County Vocational-Technical Schools, said the agreement is real partnership between the boards of education and Rowan.

"It opens up opportunities," Adams said. "Rowan is a wonderful university, and I think many of these young people will end up here. Certainly under the terms of the agreement many of them will qualify."

One student who is enrolled in the Pennsville Academy of Graphic Design in Multimedia Technology said the partnership is great for students.

"I think it is a really good idea," Natalie Eyerman, 17 said, "Its more of a motivation to do really good."